Our Approach to Transparency

All data and comparisons on Bank Size are sourced from publicly available information. We believe in complete transparency about our methods and sources.

Data Sources

Bank Asset Data

Primary Sources:

Annual reports and 10-K filings from individual banks
Federal Reserve statistical releases
S&P Global Market Intelligence
Bank for International Settlements (BIS) statistics
Individual regulatory filings (FDIC, OCC, national regulators)

Update Frequency: Quarterly, based on latest public filings

Economic & Social Data

Sources:

United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
World Bank national accounts data
International Monetary Fund (IMF) statistics
National statistical agencies

Comparison Data Points

Sources:

Sports franchise valuations: Forbes, official league data
Corporate valuations: Public market data, SEC filings
Historical data: Federal Reserve archives, academic research

Calculation Methods

World Hunger Comparisons

We use the UN FAO estimate of $45 billion per year needed to end world hunger. This is a conservative estimate based on:

Food security programs
Agricultural development
Infrastructure for food distribution
Emergency food aid

Formula: Bank Assets ÷ $45 billion = Years of funding

Example: ICBC ($6.3T) ÷ $45B = 140 years

GDP Comparisons

We compare bank assets to country GDP using World Bank and IMF data for nominal GDP (current US dollars).

Note: We acknowledge that GDP (annual economic output) and bank assets (cumulative holdings) are different metrics. These comparisons serve to visualize scale, not to suggest equivalence.

Historical Consolidation Data

Banking consolidation statistics sourced from:

FDIC Historical Statistics on Banking
Federal Reserve historical data
Academic research papers on banking consolidation

Important Clarifications

What Bank Assets Actually Are

Bank assets are not liquid cash. They include:

Loans made to customers and businesses
Securities and investments
Real estate and physical property
Cash and cash equivalents
Interbank deposits

Our comparisons use total assets to visualize the incomprehensible scale of banking power, not to suggest banks could literally "spend" this money.

The Purpose of Comparisons

When we say "ICBC could end world hunger for 140 years," we're not suggesting this is possible or practical. We're using comparisons to:

Make incomprehensibly large numbers understandable
Visualize the concentration of financial power
Spark conversations about wealth distribution
Provide context for policy discussions

Data Limitations & Disclaimers

Exchange Rates

All international bank assets are converted to US dollars using current exchange rates. Currency fluctuations can affect comparisons.

Reporting Standards

Different countries use different accounting standards (GAAP vs IFRS). We note these differences where material.

Time Periods

Unless otherwise noted, all data represents the most recent publicly available quarter or annual report.

Updates & Corrections

We review and update our data quarterly. If you notice any errors or have questions about our methodology, please contact us.

Last Updated: November 2025

Academic & Research Integrity

While Bank Size is an educational visualization project, we adhere to principles of:

Accuracy: All data from verified public sources
Transparency: Full disclosure of methods and assumptions
Context: Clear explanation of what comparisons mean and don't mean
Citations: Source attribution for all claims

Methodology